WPR Riders #2 and #5 - Make a NH Getaway to Lancaster and North
Sensing the arrival of the ending of the 2018 season, the Prez and yours truly gave a green light to a weekend in the North Woods. Grabbing overnight accommodations at the Coos Inn Lancaster, we hit the road early Saturday AM in #2's rig. As the miles and tunes rolled under our tires, we both noticed a wobble, or was it a shimmy, or maybe a jitter in the old Tundra's ride. We wrote it off as nothing wanting to just get north, until it seemed to get worse at times and we couldn't ignore it any longer. Pulled off to a safe location, both circled the rig back and forth finding nothing obvious. We continued until #2 said something is not okay and we pulled of again. This time before coming to a complete stop the Pres lowered the rear cab window (damn I love that feature!!) and it was clear to both that the anomaly was coming fro the back end or trailer.
I shouted out the wheel looked okay on my side and #2 replied the same - then immediately okay I found it. Now I have seen de-treading but this was crazy! The two worked like a NASCAR pit crew with the championship on the line and we were back underway in no time at all. Smooth sailing now. A quick stop for oil for #5 and we were at the trailhead later than normal but under good skies and lots of good snow. Let's see if I can recount the loop. We headed East on 117 from Nash Stream P lot. I know we spent time on 119 and 19 around Errol but did not go into town, instead heading north. 143 was non-existent, I mean gone. we used 112 which was in the worst shape I've ever seen it. not groomed. went up 20 East and 5 North over 140 to 141 (or 142 not sure) I think back down into Young's store. Gassed up and #5 wanted to sit down and warm up in Happy Corners. This was a mistake. After being seated immediately, we waited 40 minutes without our order being taken so we left. Grabbed soup and snack at Young's and headed south on Lake Francis Trail which was a bit beat up.
Conditions now started to improve as the snow started to really come down and traffic thinned out as we gained elevation again. I really wish I had more range!! I can't remember how we went but ended up back on 5 which was really in great shape and back to the truck. 150+ miles and trailered just as we were losing light. A quick jaunt back to the hotel and we had a plan for the evening. Dinner, beer and Live Daytona Monster Energy AMA Supercross! The perfect way to watch the race with others being served barside. Back to the room to take in the 450 Main Event, a hot shower for #5 and LaLa land. No drive home, perfect...
The next morning breakfast at the Inn, and a short drive back to the drop point. This day we headed out on 28 East, then banged a right to head farther south as this area got lots of snow. We saw two groomers out at the end of the day on Sat and then 3 more out on Sunday. Trail conditions were getting better and better as we rode. We made our way to Success Pond, a destination that we both had ridden on dirt bikes maybe close to 20 years ago. It was nothing at all like I remembered it. I'm sure we didn't see the trails we had ridden but still, odd to me. I'm still confused where we rode all those years ago. Anyway, we now headed towards the Millsfield Pond loops but alas, we were not getting there! Not sure of how to manage my mileage we headed to Milan and topped them up and grabbed a drink and a snack.
Now we needed a plan. Neither wanted to continue on 114 I think it was so we headed for elevation, the day was warming rapidly and snow was thin in some areas. We ended up riding to Wentworth Location, Skyridge Trail and another Loop the name of which escapes me now. We ended up going in a big circle and ending back just north of Errol. Needing to get our bearings, we headed back through town and picked up the reliable trails of 19 past the Bison Farm and then onto 28 and finally 5 back to the truck. Another 160+ miles for a total of 300+ for the weekend. Well done!
Not sure if I'm done or not, this weekend is celebrating a friend's birthday on St. Paddy's Day at an Irish pub in Somerville with live music, so we'll see who is willing to go up after then. Thanks #2 for getting us out again. More great riding late in the 2018 season.
